American Imperialism

Growth Imperialism -- Extending rule of authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or acquiring colonies as dependents. Economic – increased need for raw/natural materials (oil, rubber) to make finished goods; new markets for exports Nationalism – more territorial control creates national pride in empire status Military -- require bases around the world to control properties Humanitarian – religious or superior attitude in civilizing native populations

Europe Britain – “The sun never sets on the British Empire.” See list of colonies here. France – Indochina, Africa Spain – Caribbean, Central/South America Germany – Africa, China Belgium – Africa Treaty of Berlin (1885) – European powers agree to peacefully carve “spheres of influence” out of Africa.

G. Washington Farewell Address – steer clear of foreign alliances. Ok. Become isolationist and industrial. But…things change. 1853 – Commodore Matthew Perry sailed US fleet to Tokyo and “convinced” Japan to trade with US. Japan – isolationist for 200 years. Trade with Japan gets you to China. Alaska Purchase – 1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia. “Seward’s Icebox” or “Seward’s Folly” Walrus hides and icebergs. Oil, gold/silver, fishing

Little Islands Refueling stations for US ships. Midway Islands in 1867 Trade treaty with Hawaii in 1875 (sugar). Samoa in 1899

Bidness Surplus of goods in America; need to expand abroad. Central and South America. It’s close. Minor C. Keith – United Fruit Company. Sells fruit from lands in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras = nicknamed “Banana Republics”. Monroe Doctrine Steer clear of Europe Europe steer clear of Central and South America. You can keep the colonies you already own.

In the navy… Alfred Mahan – wrote a book: Influence of Sea Power on History, 1660-1783. Story of what European NAVY? Britain! Need overseas markets Need a powerful battleship-driven navy Need overseas bases for refueling navy

So…build a big navy Naval Advisory Board (1881) – increase budget and ships. Naval Act of 1890 – Construct battleships and smaller gunboats. Great White Fleet – America’s most powerful battleships built by 1907. See next. Battleship Diplomacy – use the potential destructive power of the navy to settle international disputes.

Other Considerations Humanitarian Rudyard Kipling – White Man’s Burden Civilize, Christianize, or dominate the natives. Or opium (heroin and morphine) could subdue the population. British mixed tobacco and opium to make a cheap drug to subdue populations